Big third quarter propels WolfPack past Cascades

Vick Toor, with 18 points and four assists, was a bright spot for the Cascades on Saturday. (UFV Athletics file photo)

A disastrous third quarter cost the University of the Fraser Valley men’s basketball team on Saturday evening, as they fell 99-69 to the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack in Kamloops.

The Cascades, seeking a weekend split after falling 77-71 to the WolfPack on Friday, had a strong start and led by as many as seven points in the first quarter. The host Thompson Rivers squad found some traction in the second and surged ahead, but UFV stayed within striking distance, down 46-39 at the half.

The third quarter, though, was all WolfPack. Daniel Adediran scored a layup off a feed from Vick Toor on the Cascades’ first possession, but TRU responded with a 15-0 run capped by a Nolan Willet triple. They would go on to stretch the lead beyond 30 points, outscoring UFV 30-9 in the frame and rendering the fourth quarter strictly academic.

The WolfPack (9-7) ran their win streak to seven games, while the Cascades fell to 5-11.

“The third quarter has been an issue we’ve had from the beginning of the year, especially on the road,” UFV head coach Adam Friesen said. “When we miss shots, the frustration of that leads to turnovers and poor defensive play. We haven’t been able to figure out how to be able to recognize when we’re losing momentum, and more importantly, being able to change the momentum of the game.”

Toor continued his outstanding rookie campaign, sparking the Cascades on an otherwise tough night with 18 points and four assists. Centre Matt Cooley matched him for game-high scoring honours, and sophomore forward Daniel Adediran notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards.

The WolfPack’s balanced attack featured five double-digit scorers: Willett (16 points), Anton Bilous (16), Luke Morris (13), Tyus De Vries (12) and Derek Rhodes (11). TRU hit a scorching 56.7 per cent of their shots from the field, including 11-of-19 from beyond the arc, while the Cascades shot just 37.7 per cent.

The Cascades basketball teams are on a bye next week, returning to action Jan. 26-27 with road games vs. the UNBC Timberwolves.

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The University of the Fraser Valley is situated on the unceded traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples. The Stó:lō have an intrinsic relationship with what they refer to as S’olh Temexw (Our Sacred Land); therefore, we express our gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in this territory.